
Music, voices, sounds:
Mindful listening
The world sounds different everywhere:
On the Azores, we encountered the distinctive, unfamiliar calls of the yellow-nosed storm petrels. In Nicaragua, we could hear howler monkeys from far away. In Japan and Sardinia, it was the many-voiced chirping of cicadas; in Sri Lanka, the rhythmic roar of the Indian Ocean. In Zanzibar, the muezzin’s call echoed over the rooftops, while in the bazaars, voices, footsteps and the clinking of tea glasses blended together. In Thailand, gentle temple chants accompanied us. And in the Alps? Sometimes it was the silence itself, broken only by the ringing of a cowbell or the crunching of our own footsteps in the snow.
Often when we travel, we’re so busy seeing, planning and taking photos that we forget: our ears are always open. They take in sounds, store them, and later trigger memories long after a trip is over. The sound of a certain language, music or animal calls – all of these can instantly transport us back. Many people buy souvenirs or photograph every sight, but the sounds of a journey can be captured too: whether it’s lively street music, folk singing, the gentle sound of ocean waves, the melodic and varied chirping of a bird or a rich medley of jungle noises.
While traveling, we sometimes pause, close our eyes and focus only on what we hear. We’re often surprised by how much we notice. Very often, we hear animals before we see them. Traveling with open ears allows for a deeper experience. Listening closely is a way to connect with nature, culture and other people. Often, it’s not the tourist attractions that stay in our memory, but the sounds and conversations that truly bring a journey to life.
Leave a Reply